DigVentures announces new Advisory Board

Sir Tony Robinson, David Gilbert and Carole Souter CBE join DigVentures advisory board

DigVentures – the archaeological social enterprise – announces today, 1 March, a new advisory board to provide strategic consultancy and high-level advocacy. It includes Carole Souter CBE, Chief Executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund,  Sir Tony Robinson, actor and amateur archaeologist; the board president is David Gilbert, Chair of Creative United and Writer’s Centre of Norwich, and former Managing Director of Currys Group and Waterstones.

Also joining the advisory board are Simon Collister, Senior Lecturer, University of the Arts London; Thomas Knowles, Head of Grants, Historic Environment Scotland; Tim Schadla-Hall, Reader in Public Archaeology, University College London, Institute of Archaeology; and Sarah Stannage, Policy and Culture Sector lead for the Understanding Everyday Participation (UEP).

Founded by the three archaeologists, Lisa Westcott Wilkins, Brendon Wilkins and Raksha Dave, in 2012, DigVentures was created in response to decreasing funding available for excavation from local authorities, commercial units and universities, as well as to rising popularity of archaeology. Since then it has secured a total of £115,000 for projects, aligning just under £400,000 in match funding for partners and winning £300,000 in grant funding for projects including excavation at the medieval Leiston Abbey in Suffolk and a Bronze Age site in Flag Fen in Cambridgeshire.

The platform allows users around the world to fund and participate in archaeological excavation experiences around the UK and abroad, as well as follow the findings remotely through DigVentures’ proprietary web app, Digital Dig Team. The software allows every object and discovery to be documented and uploaded live, making the data instantly accessible from anywhere in the world online.

Sir Tony Robinson comments:

‘I’m a big fan of DigVentures. I love their energy and collaborative spirit, and I believe their passion for public engagement picks up where Time Team left off. They’re pioneering an exciting new way forward for archaeology.’

Lisa Westcott Wilkins, co-founder and CEO DigVentures, comments:

‘We’re very proud our brilliant advisory board. With their enthusiasm for archaeology, strategic insights and knowledge, we will be able to take DigVentures to the next level.’